Communication Interpersonal Skills Chapter One A First Look

Communication & Interpersonal Skills Chapter One: A First Look at Interpersonal Communication Ronald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II 1

Communication • Communication is the transferring and understanding meaning • A process of sending and receiving symbols with messages attached to them. 2

Effective Communication • Occurs when the intended meaning of the sender is identical to the interpreted meaning of the receiver. • The best idea, or suggestions, or plans cannot take form without communication • Communication can take many forms: • Oral vs. written • Verbal vs. non-verbal 3

Effective Communication • Effective communication occurs when two important things take place. The expression of a thought or feeling and the effective listening of that expressed concept. • Talking is easy; communication requires greater skill. It demands that we listen and speak skillfully, not just talk mindlessly. 4

The Importance of Communication • The Power of Silence • Fredrick II • The Power of Isolation • Five Subjects to be paid to remain alone in a locked room • Contact and Companionship 5

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Physical Needs • Link Between Communication “We must love one another or die. ” W. H. Auden and Physical Well-being • Quality and Quantity Vary By Individuals 6

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Identity Needs • We Learn Who We are Through Communication • We Come to See Ourselves as Others See Us 7

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Social Needs • Pleasure • Affection • Companionship • Escape • Relaxation “Who can enjoy alone? ” John Milton Paradise Lost 8

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Practical (Instrumental) Goals • Communication Skills Top Factor in Getting Jobs • Keeping Job and Advancement Tied to Communication Skills 9

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Maslow’s Basic Needs • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 10

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Maslow’s Basic Needs • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 11

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Maslow’s Basic Needs • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 12

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Maslow’s Basic Needs • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 13

We Communicate to Satisfy Needs Maslow’s Basic Needs • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 14

The Process of Communication A Linear View 15

The Process of Communication A Linear View • Sender • Encoding • Receiver • Noise • Message • External (physical) • Channel • Physiological • Decoding • Psychological • Environments 16

The Process of Communication A Transactional View 17

The Process of Communication A Transactional View • Communicator Replaces Sender • We Send and Receive Messages Simultaneously • Communicators Often Occupy Different Environments 18

The Process of Communication A Transactional View (con’t) • Communication Channels Retain Importance • Noise Continues to Be Important • Communication is With Others, Not To Them • Relational Communication is Unique 19

The Process of Communication 20

Question: • When Tomas failed his calculus exam, he was so upset that he couldn’t understand the explanations provided by his professor. This example best illustrates: • a. external noise • b. physiological noise • c. psychological noise • d. feedback noise 21

Communication Principles • Communication Can Be Intentional or Unintentional • It’s Impossible Not to Communicate • Communication is Irreversible • Communication is Unrepeatable 22

Communicating About Relationships Content and Relational Messages • The Content is the Subject • The Relational Dimension Makes Statements About How the Parties Feel Toward the Other 23

Avoiding Communication Misconceptions • Meanings are Not in Words • Successful Communication Doesn’t Always Involve Understanding • More Communication is Not Always Better • No Single Person or Event Causes Another’s Reaction • Communication Will not Solve All Problems 24

Interpersonal communication is contextual communication does not happen in isolation. • Psychological context: Who you are and what you bring to the interaction. Your needs, desires, values, personality, etc. ("You" here refers to both participants in the interaction. ) • Relational context: Your reactions to the other person. • Situational context: Deals with the psycho-social "where" you are communicating. • Cultural context: Includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction. If you come from a culture (foreign or within your own country). 25

Nature of Interpersonal Communication-Two Views • Quantitative—Dyadic • Qualitative • When people treat one another as unique individuals, regardless of the context in which the interaction occurs or the number of people involved. 26

Nature of Interpersonal Communication • Uniqueness • Irreplaceability • Interdependence • Disclosure • Intrinsic Rewards • Scarcity 27

Question: • Qualitatively interpersonal communication is different from less personal interaction in which of the following ways? • a. Qualitatively interpersonal relationships are characterized by the development of unique rules and roles. • b. In a qualitatively interpersonal relationship, you spend time with the other person because you find the time personally rewarding. • c. In a qualitatively interpersonal relationship, you feel more comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings. • d. All of the above statements are true. 28

Technology and Interpersonal Communication • Computer-Mediated Communication • May Reduce Face-to-Face Communication • May Enhance Interpersonal Communication 29

Personal and Impersonal Communication: A Matter of Balance • Most Relationships are not Either Interpersonal Or Impersonal • Personal Elements in Impersonal Encounters • Impersonal Elements in Interpersonal Encounters 30

Communication Competence • Involves Achieving One’s Goals While Preserving Relationships • Competent communication is; Effective & Appropriate • No “Ideal” Way to Communicate • Competence is Situational • Competence is Relational • Competence Can Be Learned 31

Characteristics of Competent Communicators • Wide Range of Behaviors • Ability to Choose Most Appropriate Behavior • Context • Your Goal • Your Knowledge of the Other • Skill at Performing Behaviors 32

Communication Competence Skill at Performing Behaviors • Beginning Awareness 33

Communication Competence Skill at Performing Behaviors • Beginning Awareness • Awkwardness 34

Communication Competence Skill at Performing Behaviors • Beginning Awareness • Awkwardness • Skillfulness 35

Communication Competence Skill at Performing Behaviors • Beginning Awareness • Awkwardness • Skillfulness • Integration 36

Characteristics of Competent Communicators • Cognitive Complexity • Empathy- Perspective Taking • Self-Monitoring • Commitment 37

Competence in Intercultural Communication • Motivation • Tolerance for ambiguity • Open-mindedness • Knowledge and Skill 38